Mountain Biking - Cannondale Scapel

Ok I've been reading 100's of post and 100's or reveiws and tey all kinda say the same thing but don't really answer my question so I decided to just ask it. OK I am thinking of buying the Scapel 3000 , from what I hear don't bother with the fatty front shock only the lefty. Second its slightly lighter, I feel its worth the extra money. Last it doesn't come with the poorly designed remote lockout you just grab behind your butt and lock it out manualy. Ok this bike sounds perfict for my style of rideing. I grew up in vail colorado and loved to climb then come down relativly smooth downhills. But everyone and a while i like going out to the fun stuff at the local mountains and jump small jumps and stuff. But 90% of my riding will be XC. But that 10% I don't want to break my bike. SO THE QUESTION IS when everyone says this bike can't take more than 2 ft drops what will happen if I go freeriding with it. I see HT bikes jump big time and catch alot of air and I see tons of FS bikes go ricktor all over the jumps. Well the Scapel is a "FS" bike with short travel. Is there any reason I can just launch a big air on this bike. The only reason I could see to not do this is cause it will break the bike, but that kinda sux. Reson being is back in the day befor nice FS bikes we had basic 5 speed HT bikes and they still jumped those and got away with it.

The Scalpel has carbon fibre chainstays. Think about it.

I must admit, I don't think i'd try it personally...but it depends if you're a light rider or a heavy one, and what your jumping skills/landing skillls are like?

Cheers

Rich

The Scapel is designed (as you know) as a short travel XC race bike. It's intended purpose is racing and XC riding. It's not designed to be a Freeride bike, DUH!

So to answer your question, nothing will happen to the bike that wouldn't happen to any other bike if you ride it in a manner other than intended. If you abuse it it'll break. If you're careful, it'll be fine. Cannondale makes a fine product and stands behind it with an exceptional warranty. There are however, limits to that warranty (as well as any other manufacturer).

Either way, I think the Scapel sounds like a great bike for you! It'll handle the occasional abuse w/o complaint. If something does go wrong, your dealer (and Cannondale) should back you up regarding any legitimate warranty work.

L8R

Yea I know the bike wasn't designed for it but when confronted by a wild pack of wolves in the back country and you need to get away quick then you want to know your bike won't break if for a short period of time you need to ride whatever comes befor you. HAHA. nah I just wanted to know if the carbon tail could hold up. I Race SCCA Pro Rally and our carbon seats flex all day long under heavy loads and never had a failure. Also Back in the day Goodie makers of the carbon fiber ski poles make snowboards and we flexed and jumped and bonked and everything and they never broke. Either way I thought someone might know if that was a problem or just a limitation. I think this bike will be perfect for me and if I want to go to the local mountains I can rent a bike to f-up. Thanks for the input guys and gals.